---
title: Storyline Development Blocker — Mac Compatibility Issue
type: article
created: '2025-12-11'
updated: '2025-12-11'
source_docs:
- raw/2025-12-11-mark-isalia-check-in-108081072.md
tags:
- elearning
- storyline
- blocker
- tooling
- mac-compatibility
layer: 2
client_source: null
industry_context: null
transferable: true
---

# Storyline Development Blocker — Mac Compatibility Issue

## Overview

Articulate Storyline, the authoring tool required for interactive e-learning modules, is a **PC-only desktop application**. This creates a hard blocker for any team member working on a Mac. The issue surfaced during the [[wiki/clients/agility/agility-project|Agility project]], where 4 of 11 modules require Storyline-based interactivity and cannot be built until the platform access problem is resolved.

## The Blocker

Storyline is not available as a web or Mac application — it must be installed as a Windows desktop app. Team members on macOS have no native path to run it. This is distinct from tools like [[wiki/knowledge/elearning/rise-development|Rise]], which runs in-browser and is platform-agnostic.

**Impact on Agility project:** 4 modules are blocked from development. The remaining 7 modules (built in Rise) are near-final and unaffected.

## Workarounds Being Tested

### Option 1: Shared/Personal PC (Current Attempt)
Isalia is testing installation on a personal Windows laptop (husband's machine). This requires the PC owner to be present for login. Viability is being confirmed as of 2025-12-11.

> "I'll try to do it today. I need him here to log me in and stuff." — Isalia Ramirez

**Limitations:** A laptop form factor may not be ideal for sustained Storyline development work, which benefits from a larger screen and more processing power.

### Option 2: Procure a Dedicated PC
If the shared laptop workaround fails, the fallback is to procure a Windows PC for the team. Mark flagged this as the likely next step if Option 1 doesn't pan out.

> "If not, then we maybe need to get you another computer." — Mark Hope

## Recommended Path Forward

1. Confirm whether Storyline installs and runs acceptably on the shared Windows laptop.
2. If yes, proceed with Storyline module development; plan to involve Raphael once access is confirmed (he is already learning Rise and is a natural candidate to extend into Storyline).
3. If no, initiate PC procurement before development can begin on the remaining 4 modules.

## Broader Applicability

This blocker is not unique to the Agility project. Any future engagement requiring Storyline will hit the same constraint for Mac-based team members. Options to consider for future projects:

- **Maintain a shared Windows machine** in the team's toolkit for Storyline work.
- **Evaluate cloud/virtual Windows options** (e.g., Parallels, cloud PC services) as a lighter-weight alternative to dedicated hardware.
- **Scope Storyline usage explicitly** in project proposals so platform requirements are surfaced before work begins.

## Related

- [[wiki/clients/agility/agility-project|Agility Project]]
- [[wiki/knowledge/elearning/rise-development|Rise Course Development]]
- [[wiki/meetings/2025-12-11-mark-isalia-check-in|Mark / Isalia Check-in — 2025-12-11]]